Watson bats for Symonds for Gabba Test

Sydney, Nov 16 (IANS) Shane Watson has tipped Andrew Symonds for the first Test against New Zealand that begins Thursday, though it can scuttle his chances to be in the side. The two all-rounders are included in Australia’s 13 man-squad but it won’t come as a surprise if Symonds makes the cut at the expense of Watson for the first Test at Gabba.

“If Roy gets a spot, he bloody deserves it, he’s been a great player for a number of years,” Watson was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph. “I wouldn’t feel hard done by, no way. I’m still only 27, so I know I’ve got a lot of really good cricket in front of me,” Watson said.

“Roy definitely deserves an opportunity whenever he’s ready to go. He’s performed so well in some tough times for Australia and you can’t take that away from him.”

Watson, who came at place of Symonds after the Darwin fiasco gave some fine performances in the recently concluded tour of India. So it would be harsh if he has to sit out the first Test. But Watson says he is taking things in his stride.

“What happened to Roy on the Darwin tour gave me another opportunity to have a crack at Test cricket, so that’s the roundabouts of professional sport,” Watson said. “I used to worry about a lot when I was younger and probably put too much pressure on myself.”

“Now I’m just enjoying every minute of playing. Hopefully I get another opportunity. Whether it’s now or in a couple of years, who knows? I know when I get another opportunity I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”

Incidentally, in 2006-07 Ashes series, Symonds was only handed his chance because Watson, who had originally been selected, struggled with persistent hamstring injuries.